California, MD — After nearly 37 years of wedded bliss, “Pop” couldn’t believe he had messed up and missed Valentine’s Day. The Southern Maryland resident sprang into action, unaware that his wife had just given him a gift one day early.
“I was upset because I hadn’t gotten her anything yet,” he said. What he came up with, spur of the moment, included a $50,000 winning Maryland Lottery scratch-off that has “Mom” saying this is a Valentine’s Day the California, Md. couple will never forget!
Mom unwinds after work most evenings playing Keno at home while Pop “sleep watches” TV. For her Valentine’s Day gift, Pop bought a card, $50 worth of Maryland Lottery scratch-offs and $60 worth of Keno games from his favorite Lottery retailer, H.V. Liquors in California, Md. His wife is a former bingo player, having played two or three times a week for 20 years, so Pop included a $5 Bingo Times 10 scratch-off in the mix.
He was watching TV on Valentine’s Day night when Mom sat down to enjoy her gift. Working on the Bingo Times 10 ticket, she revealed her win, looked over at him and calmly announced her news. “She said, softly, very softly, ‘I won $50,000,’ ” Pop said. He rolled his chair over to get a look at the scratch-off and verified her win.
“I always told her she was going to win the Lottery one day,” he said. “No one got excited except for the next morning.” The semi-retired home improvement contractor took the ticket back to H.V. Liquors and had the owner check the ticket for him. The retailer was so happy “he called his wife and put her on speaker phone,” Pop said. California is a small town and a $50,000 Lottery win is big news!
Parents of three adult children and grandparents of three, Mom and Pop have lots of ideas for ways to enjoy their prize. A trip to Dover, Del., is in order, along with paying bills and making a down payment on a home.
Mom works at the Patuxent River Air Base while Pop runs Pop’s Shop & Thrift Store in Lexington Park. When not working, they are often out shooting pool competitively in the region. The family, known for its members’ billiard game prowess, plays on a team that later this month will compete for a trip to a national competition in Las Vegas.
For selling the top-prize ticket, the retailer located at 22576 MacArthur Boulevard in California, will receive a $500 bonus.